Navigating Student House-Hunting: Top Tips!
Welcome, future house-hunters! Finding your dream house can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but fear not – we've got your back!
At Joint, we aim to make not only our houses an oasis of calm, but also the journey to finding the perfect property for you. That’s why we’ve made our house searching and application process as simple as possible, to make our luxury student lets accessible to all.
In this guide, we'll take you through some crucial tips to ensure your house-hunting journey is smooth sailing.
1. To bills or not to bills…
Picture this: you move into your dream house only to discover bills aren't included. Not only is that another thing to worry about, but another cost you didn’t account for! If bills are not included, you'll need to figure out who used what, handle the setup and closure of all accounts when you leave, and bear in mind that if your housemates fail to pay, you could be held responsible for these charges.
Panic not! At Joint, all of our houses come with all bills included so you never have to worry about splitting bills! We've teamed up with a green energy firm and secured our prices for the next year. This means you won't ever have to pay more on top of your rent – a fantastic perk for budgeting and keeping your costs in check!
2. No Housemates? No Problem!
Finding housemates can be a tough process, whether you are looking for a room alone or an addition to your group, it's hard to know where to look to find a housemate..
However, at Joint, not only do we offer single lets so you don’t have to worry about already having housemates, but we also help you to meet your perfect housemates!
We specialise in connecting you with like-minded individuals – those sharing your course, year, university, religion, or lifestyle. Once you're on board, we set up a WhatsApp group so you can break the ice and get to know each other. To kick off your time together, we organise a fun-filled free social event upon your move-in and the chance to snag fantastic prizes!
Plus, brace yourselves for our brand new 'meet your perfect housemates' events, a unique and exciting way to build connections and create lasting memories in your new home!
3. Dodging the Rent Responsibility Bullet
When finding the perfect student house, you could be subject to signing a joint contract with the other housemates. Because of this, it could mean you would be liable for anyone who drops out or doesn't pay their rent, which could add extra stress to the house-hunting process.
So if you’ve ever feared your housemate dropping out or not paying rent, fear no more! Unlike other agents, we don't require you to be part of a group. An assured shorthold tenancy agreement is a tenancy agreement in the UK that sets out the terms for you to live in the landlord's property. Our single ASTs mean you're only responsible for your rent and deposit, not your housemates'. Sleep soundly, knowing your financials are secure.
4. Deposit Dilemmas? Enter Reposit!
We understand that piecing together a substantial deposit for a student let can pose a real challenge especially when you may already be juggling tuition fees and living expenses. Recognising this struggle, we strive to provide flexible solutions and support.
That’s where our rent partner comes in…Say hello to Reposit! Pay just one week's rent, and they've got the rest covered. Same legal rights, zero financial stress.
5. International Students, We've Got You Covered
Navigating the rental landscape can be especially challenging for international students who may not have a UK-based guarantor. Many letting agents require this as a firm requirement, making it that extra bit harder for students overseas to find the perfect house to make their student experience enjoyable.
Are you an international student without a UK-based guarantor? We've got a solution! Pay rent in advance, and voila – no need for a guarantor, no more hurdles for our global residents!
6. Double the Security with Dual Guarantors
Guarantors are a great way to secure a property, however, a challenge for many students is the salary requirements needed for their guarantor. This can cause challenges for many families who, for a variety of financial reasons, may not be able to meet the requirements. At Joint we don’t like to let any obstacles stand in the way of your perfect home.
We came up with a solution, allowing two guarantors to join forces, ensuring your income requirements are met. No more financial roadblocks – just a smooth journey to your dream abode.
House-hunting doesn't have to be a maze of confusion. With these tips and our support, you'll be signing that lease for your perfect home in no time.
Ready to end the house hunt? Check out our latest lets here: https://jointliving.co.uk/
